The conflict of self interest versus national interest has been with us from the foundation of this great nation. While the values embodied in the market system of life that have governed our economy have been the catalyst for economic and material progress, we as a nation have had the wisdom to harness self interest when its goals have lead us to devalue our natural monuments and national parks. We face the endangerment of the Minidoka National Historic Site of the National Park System because the forces of economic development feel a need to construct a power line over the property.

The names of Mathers, Albright, and Ickes bare the scars of the battle of preserving nature versus the interests of profit seeking corporate America. These three pioneers have been depicted in the present Ken Burns’ television series, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” as saviors of nature. Their major confrontations occurred against the corporations which cried out that economic development should always be the trump card that sacrificed our nation’s natural beauties and historical lessons. These leaders fought greed but won the battle in behalf of the American people.

Today another battle is erupting in the southern region of the State of Idaho where the power company hopes to ignore the lessons and battles of the past with the sacrifice of a national park facility in the name of expediency and economic development. The Minidoka National Historic Site is the target of a power line which is planned to pass directly over the heart of the site. Those who want to preserve the park-like nature of this site, which is a remembrance of the unlawful imprisonment of American citizens who were placed there simply because of the country of their heritage, are but an insignificant economic force in the game of economic development. Yet the lesson for which the monument was intended has enormous value to the understanding of what it means to be a citizen of this great country. This was the reason President Clinton initially used his authority under the Antiquities Act to name this small space of land a National Monument.

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization, urges all who are involved to take a breath and look to our national heritage of national monuments and national parks. Are we prepared to ignore the lessons of historical preservation or will we allow expediency and economic interests only to determine the path of the ugly power line that would prove a hazard to those who would visit this historical place? We urge all to place the national interests above any short-term objective of rapidly completing a power line.

We ask members of the JACL, and others who wish to preserve the valuable lesson that this site provides, to contact the offices of the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, and their representatives in Congress to let them know that the Minidoka National Historic Site should be left intact and the power line should be redirected.

In October, come join nature lovers who gather at the Japanese Gardens in the Arboretum. With 150 maples in bloom, there will be Japanese arts and crafts, talks, tours and activities. There will also be special teas served every hour at 11:30, 12:30 and 1:30.

The hours are 11am – 3pm on Saturday, October 18th.

The address is: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd inside the Arboretum.
For questions, please call 684-4725.
Events are all free with admission into the Japanese Gardens.

Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church has its annual holiday bazaar on Saturday, November 21 from 11 AM to 6 PM. The Bazaar will be held in the church’s Lee Activity Center; 3001 24th Avenue South, Seattle.

Over forty Japanese craft booths will be available to show some of their beautiful hand-made gifts. Colorful Japanese fabric prints, hand-made lacquer-ware, paper gift boxes, paper lanterns and other items will be on display. In addition, there will be Japanese foods available.

Please contact Lily Yamamura at lyyams@comcast.net if you have vintage Japanese items you would like to donate.

Long time Seattle JACL Board Member and past President Akemi Matsumoto is one of five honored at the 8th annual Night Among Heroes gala. The gala is held by the Thomas C. Wales Foundation to recognize ordinary citizens who have made extraordinary contributions to community life here in the Puget Sound.

Our plans for a Cruise to Vancouver BC have been cancelled; there are simply too many people affected by the economy. Consequently, we will hope for a better turnout in future years. Thank you to everyone who originally expressed an interest.

This year Seattle JACL will host its first New Year’s Eve Gala. Music and dancing will progress through the decades as the night goes on, giving a time for each member of our intergenerational family to shine. A quiet jazz lounge for conversation, door prizes, test your luck to win spectacular prizes, and special drinks will be available. Appetizers will be served throughout the evening and to make sure 2010 is a prosperous year, Ozoni will be served shortly after midnight.

The Seattle Chapter JACL has been unafraid to tackle difficult and, often, controversial issues related to the wartime experience of our community and other civil rights issues. The exceptional pioneers who sustained our organization during one of the most difficult periods in US history laid a strong foundation for the work of future generations of Japanese Americans who believe strongly in the principles of justice, equality and fair play. Rest assured, the Seattle Chapter is well prepared to carry on the proud tradition established by our noble and courageous predecessors. MORE